Face to face with violence and its effects: Restorative justice practice at work

Abstract

Restorative justice is developing organically within the criminal justice system and although initially considered most applicable to young offenders and with less serious offences, there is increasing evidence that it is with more serious offending that there is considerable impact and particularly with offences of violence. Restorative processes are considered in the context of increasing concern about violence in society and in prisons. The author's experience of governing prisons gives him a perspective about violence from within the setting in which the most violent and dangerous people in our society are held. David's story, which is part of the article, gives an illustration of how therapeutic work with people who have been violent can be done in a custodial setting where there is time to focus on the needs of all involved and affected by a violent crime.